Following its meeting last week, today the GP Commission has released a bevy of rules for the 2013 & 2014 MotoGP Championship. An interesting mix of rules that stem from issues had this past season, the GP Commission has also drafted some regulations that aim at further reducing the cost of the sport.
For starters, Race Direction now has a penalty point system at its disposal, which can be used to address riders who are continually being warned of unsafe behavior. The points accumulate over the course of the season, and have thresholds with escalating consequences. If that doesn’t make your eyes roll and your mouth mutter “Marc Marquez” then Moto2’s new quickshifter approval rule probably will.
While all three classes will see a number of provisions to help control costs, the most interesting is the capping of brake and suspension prices, which will see the cost of service contracts also limited. The latter point is especially important, as parts suppliers have gotten around previous caps by merely rolling the lost costs into extremely expensive servicing fees and agreements.
On a more geeky and technical note, an optional in 2013, mandatory in 2014, in-dash flagging system will be put in place. Presumably useful for all situations, the system sounds like a direct response to Jorge Lorenzo’s complaints after crashing in Valenica while going through lapped traffic. The full list of new rules is after the jump.
FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix – Decision of the Grand Prix Commission
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), Paul Duparc (FIM) and Mike Webb (Race Director), in a meeting held on 13 December 2012 in Madrid, made the following decisions. (Note: Some decisions were made at the previous meeting on 10 November at Valencia but not announced at that time).
Sporting and Disciplinary Regulations
Effective immediately:
It has been recognised that there is the need to address the problem of riders who are constantly being warned or penalised for endangering other riders or committing other serious offences like assaulting marshals or other officials. To address this issue a new system of Penalty Points was approved. Race Direction can sanction a rider with a number of Penalty Points between one and ten. This can be instead of or in addition to any other sanction. Points will “tot up” during the season and when certain thresholds are reached the following sanctions will be applied automatically:
- Four Points – Starts next race from rear of grid.
- Seven Points – Starts next race from pit lane.
- Ten Points – Disqualification from the next event.
Once the ten point sanction has been imposed then points reset to Zero. Points are not carried forward to the following season.
Several changes to the start procedure were approved:
- Pit lane opening will be accompanied by a green flag at the pit exit in addition to the existing green light.
- No red flag will be displayed in front of the grid at the conclusion of the sighting lap.
- Tyre warmers must be removed immediately on display of the one minute board.
Following approval of the new qualifying procedure for the MotoGP class it is also necessary to determine the criteria for actual qualification to take part in the race – the 107% rule. To be allowed to take part in the actual qualifying sessions a rider must achieve a time better than 107% of the fastest rider in any of the four free practice sessions. It is no longer possible to qualify for the race based on a time set in the warm up. Riders who are appointed as substitutes for an injured rider after some free practice sessions have taken place and have not achieved the 107% cut off will still be allowed to participate in Qualifying Practice 1 where they must achieve a qualifying time.
Failure of riders participating in their first event of the season to attend the FIM briefing may attract a penalty but will no longer result in automatic disqualification.
The responsibility for switching on red rear lights in rain conditions now rests with the teams. No boards will be displayed.
It is no longer a requirement for the team to be notified and acknowledge the imposition of a ride through penalty due to a jump start. The requirement will be displayed at the start line to the rider and included on the information page of the timekeeping monitors.
There is no longer a minimum fine that can be imposed by Race Direction. The maximum fine is now fixed at €50,000.00
Technical Regulations
MotoGP Class
Effective Immediately:
Carbon Composite wheels are not permitted. (As is already the case for Moto3 and Moto2).
The exception granted to CRT entries in 2012 to permit use of brake disks of a different diameter than the 320mm specified in the regulations will not be extended to 2013.
A revised allocation of tyres will be introduced. In principle, riders will receive an additional rear tyre and the “soft” front tyre offered as an option in 2012, but not used, will no longer be available. In that case, the exception concerning allocations of different grades of front tyres at certain specified circuits will be cancelled. The decision on the precise make up of the allocation will be taken following the official test at Sepang on 5-7 February.
In this context, the official supplier will be making available a “softer” rear tyre for use by CRT entries.
Effective 2014:
A procedure for homologation of the “frozen” engine specifications was approved. It was confirmed that this regulation does not apply to CRT entries and that different teams using the same brand of MSMA machine could have engines homologated with different specifications.
Effective 2015:
Maximum prices permitted to be charged for the supply of brakes and suspension will be imposed. Investigations are also being carried out with a view to capping charges for “service contracts” for the same products.
Moto3 and Moto2 Classes
Effective Immediately:
Moto2 class quick-shifter systems must be approved by the Technical Director.
The allocation of tyres for the Moto2 class is changed. In future riders will have the following maximum numbers available:
8 front tyres of the two standard specifications.
9 rear tyres of the two standard specifications
The actual specifications will be determined by the official supplier and all riders will receive equal allocations.
Front race numbers on Moto3 and Moto2 machines must have a separation of minimum 10mm between double digit numbers. Reflective backgrounds are not permitted.
Effective 2014:
To ensure that teams in the Moto3 are supplied with engines of the same specification at a reasonable price it has been agreed that engines will be supplied via the series organisers and distributed randomly. Engines will not be returned for maintenance but having completed normal mileage will be retained by teams for other purposes or sale on.
Discussions are continuing about the maximum number of engines allowed and the routine, minor engine maintenance to be permitted and a final regulation will be announced during the 2013 Qatar GP.
Maximum prices will be imposed for complete Moto3 class machines and maximum prices will be specified for chassis and major components for Moto3 and Moto2 class machines. Again, final regulations will be announced during the 2013 Qatar GP.
All Classes
Effective 2014:
In 2013 Dorna will introduce a new timekeeping transponder that will have the ability to display on the dashboard additional information for the rider. Most importantly, this will include the ability to duplicate flag signals. Use of a compatible dashboard is mandatory from 2014 and optional in 2013.
In the Moto2 class the use of an updated Lambda sensor will be compulsory
Effective 2015:
FIM homologation standards for all racing wheels were approved in principle. Final standards will be announced at the Qatar GP
Other Matters
The Commission confirmed acceptance of all MotoGP class CRT entries on the provisional 2013 entry list.
The Commission approved various MotoGP wild card entries:
Michel Pirro – Ducati – Jerez, Mugello and Misano
Martin Bauer – Schwarz & Bronnen – Brno
Source: FIM; Photo: © 2012 Scott Jones / Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved
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